Basalt Fibre Composites
Mineral-fibre composites based on basalt, used as a glass-adjacent reinforcement with a different sustainability and temperature story.
Overview
Basalt fibre composites use continuous or chopped fibres drawn from molten basalt rock in a polymer matrix — typically epoxy, vinyl ester or polypropylene. They sit between glass and carbon on specific strength, with better temperature and chemical resistance than E-glass in many laminates, and a mineral rather than boron-glass feedstock. Automotive interest is in underbody shields, heat-adjacent covers, some interior structural panels and experimental body skins where a glass-like cost with a different environmental story is attractive. Basalt is not flax (natural cellulose) and not carbon; it is a mineral fibre composite. Process routes follow GFRP: resin transfer moulding, press, infusion and thermoplastic compounding. Fire performance, recyclability and fibre-matrix adhesion depend on the sizing and resin, as with glass.
Automotive Applications
Similar Materials
Shape Memory Alloys (SMA)
Smart Metal Alloy
Metallic alloys that can return to a pre-defined shape when exposed to a specific temperature stimulus, enabling actuation without motors or electronics.
CFRTP (Continuous-Fibre Thermoplastic)
Thermoplastic Composite
Continuous-fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite family, distinct from ART carbon tape processes.
Carbon/Epoxy Prepreg
Thermoset Prepreg
Thermoset carbon-fibre/epoxy prepreg used as the buyable body and chassis material for LVHV programmes.
Flax Fibre Composites
Natural Fibre Composite
Natural-fibre composite family used on Porsche, BMW and Bcomp-class luxury and GT parts.
Properties
Category
Type
Mineral Fibre Composite
Available Forms
Key Properties
- Mineral fibre (not glass, not flax)
- Higher temperature capability than many E-glass systems
- GFRP-like processing
- Mid-range specific strength
- Distinct from flax composites
- No boron-glass batch